Thoughts on 4wd types on Crossover/small SUV's

thatguy · Oct 22, 2011

Just curious as personal experiences on Small suv/ crossover type vehicles and the different types of 4 wheel drive/ AWD that are available.. I currently have a Dodge Ram 2500 (cummins) but dreaming of downsizing to something smaller..

What i mean is you have your Honda CRV, Subaru's, Nissan Rogue types vehicles that do NOT have a switch to turn 4x4 on/off or have HI/Low ranges (i realize that the subaru's drive all four wheels all the time but close enough)..

Then you have the other similar size vehicles that have switchable 4x4 with hi/low range capabilities - such as the Nissan Xterra/Pathfinder, the jeeps or similar..

Anyone care to share personal experience with one vs the other for normal winter driving in up to 8" of snow, driving dirt/muddy/unimproved forest roads, BUT no rock crawling/extreme off roading..

Brian

B7510HSD · Oct 22, 2011

I've driven the all wheel drive and the electronic switch type which my Dakota has and there is no difference it's still considered 4wd even though it's really only 2wd on most all these rigs.1 front 1 rear !!

Fixemall · Oct 22, 2011

Just remember they are small! I personally cannot get used to them. My daily drivers are a full size blazer and an H2. My sons buddy who has been staying with us while he finishes a contract job has an Equinox and it seems cramped after driving a full size vehicle.

RoyJackson · Oct 22, 2011

We have a 2005 Subaru Outback AWD wagon. These are superb vehicles for foul weather driving.
They're as good as any larger 4WD vehicles and have as much ground clearance as many stock height trucks.
I'll buy another one in a heartbeat. And, although I have a full sized F-150 4WD truck, odds are I'll drive the Suby more when it snows.

As far as unimproved roads...I wouldn't take the Outback over a logging trail, but no problem with a dirt road. BTW, my Suby (new ones too, I suppose) have a front tow hook, just in case...

Of course, one still has to know how to drive in the snow...no 4WD vehicle can make a good driver out of an idiot...just get's stuck worse.

whistlepig · Oct 22, 2011

Weight helps a lot in the snow.

B7510HSD · Oct 22, 2011

whistlepig said:
Weight helps a lot in the snow.

I tried that excuse bu the wife still put me on a DIET!!

Yandaddy1110 · Oct 22, 2011

Wife had a Jeep Liberty, smaller in size with a real truck frame and transfer case. Jeeps are not wimpy 4x4s like the CRVs and Equinox. I was impressed.

streetisneat · Oct 22, 2011

I have a 98 S10 4wd and my wife has a 2001 ford escape awd, can't see any difference driving in snowy conditions. They both are V6 engines. I've have driven full size 4wd trucks that didn't do any better under normal winter conditions. However gas mileage is much better in 2001 escape get 19 to 21 in city with awd and only 13 with s10 (3.73 axle ratio) in 2wd mode! I wouldn't hesitate to get another escape or similar vehicle for "normal" snowy winter driving!

PoorPlowboy · Oct 23, 2011

If your transfer case has a selectable lever then it is considered PART TIME 4x4 and should not be used in dry conditions. These transfer cases do not have a differential.

schmism · Oct 23, 2011

I firmly believe that if your vehicle does not have a 2 speed transfer case it is not 4wd. Instead it is AWD.

There is no substitute for good traction tires (either a mud type or DOT (snowflake) snow tires) and ground clearance when dealing with deep snow.

many of the cute uts may advertise AWD but are in reality are front wheel drive and only AWD if the system detects slippage. The old CRV's were this way. Others can be 60/40 or 70/30 splits front drive to rear drive.

If your transfer case has a selectable lever then it is considered PART TIME 4x4 and should not be used in dry conditions. These transfer cases do not have a differential.

I suppose that depends on your transfer case. Range Rover transfer cases use a 3rd center diff that can be independently locked with a different lever position.